It was so good! I was entertained the whole time by their banter and relationship development but there was also some more serious things that added depth. There were a few spicy scenes that were fairly easy to skip.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! 

This would be it if Ali Hazelwood, Abby Jimenez, and Chloe Leise had a book baby. This book was so cute and such a fun read! It follows a romance author who doesn't believe happily ever afters exist—what could be better? When Margot's book gets leaked, she escapes to a small town, where she meets Forrest, who is literally a walking trope of a book boyfriend, and you get to watch them fall in love. The slow burn is realllllll slow and so worth it. The way Margot and Forrest have families to care for helps their bond, and how Lavine wrote that she did it delicately and authentically. Multiple scenes had me shed tears because of it (in the best way)...especially at the end, so make sure you have your tissues ready!!  

Read if you like: 
- Slow burn
- Moose (iykyk)
- One Bed
- Dual POV

Any Trope But You follows romance writer Margot Bradley after she is cancelled for not believing in love. Margot's sister sets her up on an Alaskan trip cut off from the outside world for six weeks where she meets Forrest, the perfect romance male lead in human form. Margot and Forrest continue to run themselves directly into romance trope after romance trope as they try to keep their distance, both physically and of their hearts.

The story was overall very cute. I enjoyed both Margot and Forrest and thought the other side characters were well done as well. I did think perhaps there were a bit too many, and a bit too on the nose, tropes. But I still enjoyed watching them grow and come together. I do wish the ending was a bit different. I feel like I'm missing a few chapters still. It's grand gesture and then the book ends. There's not so much a third act break up as a final chapter break up and solution. Four stars.

i do think there is an audience out there for this book, i am not a part of that audience. it started off cringe and was cringe all throughout. there is no way that Margot’s document leaking would lead to that amount of hate. it was so absurd it brought me right out of the book. however, there were some cute moments, but not cute enough to cure my hatred for this book.

First of all - thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC, I was so excited to read it!

Absolutely five out of five stars. I loved both of the main characters, they were both well developed and felt real. They were genuine, and I liked that both of them had their own reasons for being tentative to start any kind of relationship. Of course this book is all about tropes, but it didn't feel tropey if that makes sense. The FMC of course was acknowledging the tropes throughout the book, so it didn't feel overly cliche, and I think that was part of the point. For example, Forrest carried Margot down the mountain, and they took breaks, and the next day he was actually tired and sore from doing that trek. I feel like that never happens in books! I also loved that their relationship struggles felt so real. The third act breakup wasn't just for drama, but for reasons that people would actually split up over. Having family you need to care for is hard, and you don't always get to put yourself first. Margot appreciating the experience rather than disliking Forrest because he made a hard choice felt so beautiful.

OKAY so, the thing is, I am from Alaska. Born and raised, recently moved after living there 23 years. So, of course, I was highly critical of the Alaska aspects.

Here were my favorite things:
- That the lodge had wifi (Starlink babe) because even though you don't have service in a lot of rural Alaska, almost everyone has some form of wifi
- Calling them snow machines. If the author had called them snow mobiles I would have been upset
- Calling rural Alaska the bush, that's what we all say
- Using the flue! However it was a fireplace and I've always had wood stoves so that was a little different for me
- Calling it the lower forty-eight! Also what everyone says

Here were things that bothered me (yes I am being nit picky this does not change how amazing the story was I promise):
- No one feed moose. I am sorry but moose are aggressive af. And feeding them is actually proven to make them much more aggressive. Of course it was a cute part of the story, but it was just sooo unrealistic it bothered me. It's kind of illegal
- Margot (if I understood correctly) did not light a fire her first night. Frostbite city
- Most people I know do not cut wood in the winter, ever. You always have a woodshed and you prep during the summer to make sure you have tons of wood, especially if you're a lodge hosting guests
- Most places I have been that have both cabins and lodges mean that you do not have running water in your cabin, especially if it's rural. The lodge is the only place with showers, and typically there are outhouses (sometimes compost toilets but that's rare), especially because it's so hard to get water out that far. My parents actually own a rural lodge/cabins, and they don't even use water for showers

Again, this is just because I am literally from Alaska. As I said, my parents have a rural lodge/cabins, my in-laws have a rural cabin, and I've traveled around Alaska a bit. It was also hard because I am much more north than Talkeetna, so it was funny to me that 5 degrees is cold, but that's just because I am used to much colder temps. The book was AMAZING, this is just my silly nit picky things.

Oh my goodness! What a breath of fresh HEA air. Forrest is going on my book boyfriend list immediately. Victoria Lavigne gives Abby Jimenez vibes with her writing style, which is by far my favorite. I was so hooked onto this book until the very last word.


Thank you Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

10/4/24-Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine was a beautiful story of learning to fall back in love with the idea of love. As a ‘Happily Ever After’ romance writer who has had all the romance sucked out of her life, Margot Bradley has her biggest secret released to the world—her secret Happily Never After file with all the negative endings to all of her books. When Margot is cancelled by her beloved followers and publisher, her sister sends her to remote Alaska for six weeks to learn how to push herself beyond her limits. She is also supposed to be writing a new novel, but this time it’s a murder mystery, except her characters keep finding ways to fall in love. She just cannot write a story without love in it, including her own story. Each day she finds herself in a typical love story trope with the very attractive owner of the lodge and she is determined not to fall in love! This story shows that even though her life has been anything but romantic, she can learn how to love again. Even if we’ve been hurt, there is still someone out there for us, we just might find them in unexplained places.

I absolutely loved this story! Margot’s frustration with all her Happily Ever After stories rings true for so many people. Life is NOT a romance novel. Even if we do find our “happily ever after”, it may not look like a romance novel, and THAT’S OKAY. Margot and Forrest story is such a beautiful tribute to those who sacrifice so much for those they love. Their character development was lovely and refreshing.

But, I give this a 4/5 due to the lack of ending! I really hate how romance novels just end so swiftly after the characters come together. As if that’s all it takes for a happily ever after. I’d love to have their proposal/struggles with being engaged/life styles/ wedding/ etc. What was it like in the first year or so of marriage? Did they encounter any of the same struggles? And the spice…I mean could wedding night sex get any better?? Build up to that!

Spice level—3.5/5

A huge thank you to Victoria Lavine, Atria books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts are completely my own!

This wasn’t my favorite, but not horrible either! One thing for me is excessive cursing is a thumb down. It just takes away from the writing in my opinion and there was quite a bit of it in this book. I found myself more interested in the relationship she had with her sister towards the end. Overall was a quick read though! Some spice in this one too.

SOOOOO freaking cute!! as someone who grew up in alaska i RAN to read this one bc its one of my favorite settings!! 🥹

this book was so heartwarming and sweet, i absolutely loved following Margots journey through out. i really enjoyed how multifaceted her and forrest felt, they also fit so well for one another.

quite literally already planning a reread of this one later in the winter bc i just could not get enough of them 😩

Oh. My. Gosh. This book is SO cute. It really does have every trope; enemies to lovers, one bed, love at first sight, and so many more! It’s cute, fun, both the main characters are charming and it’s so easy to read.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an ARC on exchange for my honest review! 5 stars!

This book was something else….all the tropes in one well written book, humour and the spice. It was perfection.

After the FMC goes through some life and career altering events, she ends up in an Alaskan cabin for 6 weeks. While there she ends up in the arms of a man of many tropes. She wasn’t a believer of a happily ever after but this man changed her view.

It was a very well written read. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc

Margot is a romance author who doesn't believe in love. Forrest is a Wilderness guide who does not hook up with guests and doesn't think highly of Margot at the start. Shenanigans ensue.

This was a slower start than I expected. I do enjoy that once both of them gave the other the chance, they realized they were very similar people. Both basically would do anything for their family member who they took care of almost to their detriment.

This is one that the third act break up was predictable but it made a lot of sense to me. It felt real and I loved the way both, but especially Margot, moved through it. I think it was beautifully done.

First off big thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for providing me an arc to read and review.

Now with that out of the way I do have to admit that “Any Trope But You” was not my favorite. Now don’t get me wrong it’s not bad there were definitely things I really enjoyed. However, overall I don’t see this as book I’d go back to and re-read.

Let’s start with my pros:
-the side characters especially loved Jo and Forrest Dad they were an absolute hoot and truly stole the scene whenever they were involved.
-loved that both main characters are devoted and loyal caretakers of their families. It felt relatable and I believe many readers who are in those same shoes will be able to sympathize and connect to the joys and sacrifices all caregivers face.
-loved that so many of my favorite tropes were used such as enemies to lovers and my new favorite “one tent”.
-Also have to mention the spice. Victoria Levine, dang woman you know how to write some good spice scenes. That Sauna scene holy guacamole;)

Now let’s get to the cons:
-So I usually am not one to complain about this because I myself at times have a mouth of a sailor. However, I do think the amount of times the F bomb was dropped was a bit too excessive. I think I read someone counted and it was 104 times 😨 like holy cow that’s excessive even for me. Especially when it’s not needed. So unfortunately that drag that book down just a smidge for me.
-my other biggest issue falls with our MFC Margot. I have to admit she was not the easiest character to connect to. Myself and Margot are complete polar opposites so I struggled to read her POV and at times found her whiny and annoying. Now eventually she grew on me but it definitely took some time.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Plus I’m excited to see more books from this author and she continues to grow!

🫎🩵 Any Trope But You 🩵🫎
By Victoria Lavine
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for eARC! ✨

🩵 Cynical romance author
🫎 Mountain man/Doctor
🩵 Alaska
🫎 Dual POV
🩵 Debut novel

✨ If you look up the definition of perfect romcom, this would be the photo you see.
My eyes couldn’t read this fast enough.
🩵 These characters LEAP off the page with incredible dialogue and quirks.
🫎 I cannot possibly say enough good things about this book. The writing makes you want to climb right inside this cozy novel and become one with the pages.
🩵 The chemistry between the MCs is a perfect mix of combative, playful and tender.
🫎 I also really enjoyed the personalities and backstory that developed. Especially that of Margot and her sister, because my sister is also the most important thing to me and have gone through similar troubles.

👀 Cannot wait to see what other stories will come from this new author! 👀
✨ AND YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY PICK THIS ONE UP! ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️: Yes

This book was so lovely and beautiful, the characters were well fleshed out, the setting was something new for me and I really loved it! I recommend this one! 😍

I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC thanks to Victoria, NetGalley, and Atria Books!

We follow Margot, a really successful romance author who doesn’t believe in ‘happily ever afters.’ To stomach putting out these cheesy books, as a form of catharsis, she writes for herself “happily never after” endings for all of her characters, secretly despising the typical happy romances her fans (and younger sister) love. When her private ‘HNA’ endings get leaked in a very dramatic and kind of hilarious hacker situation, it causes an uproar. Desperate to reset, she heads to remote Alaska to work on a new “comeback” novel in a completely different genre.

Of course, Alaska isn’t without romance. She immediately meets the charming son of the lodge’s owner, Forrest—a man who seems to embody every romance trope she’s ever written. And while she’s determined to resist his too-good-to-be-true charm, their chemistry is undeniable, and it was a lot of fun seeing her call out all of the romance clichés.

This was such an entertaining and sweet read, but it was also a story of growth, moving on, and it could be surprisingly emotional at moments. Both characters are incredibly deserving of happy endings.

Overall, I couldn’t put this book down. It was a really enjoyable and quick read.

this is a sweet, emotional, spicy story. I loved Margot’s personal journey of healing & acceptance after her professional life goes way sideways, while also finding the HEA she didn’t initially believe in. I loved her & Forest’s emotional, passionate connection. Forest is such a down to earth, hard working man who has made sacrifices & decisions in life that Margot can relate to & draws them together. I loved how they show their authentic selves to each other & find such comfort, peace, & love with each other. I also absolutely loved escaping to a small Alaskan town & all the comfort that brought to the story!

thank you for the arc!

Margot and Forrest forever! They were both complicated multi dimensional characters. Margot writes romances, but doesn’t believe in love. Forrest is a cancer researcher. They meet in Alaska, which I think is the perfect setting for a romance!

4.5
I loved these characters and the set up. Lavine does a great job of walking the line between choreographing and calling out the tropes she's getting them into, while still making it emotionally believable and not over-egging it. Both MCs managing major care-taking roles in the lives of their family members is deeply moving and dimensional. And those family members aren't just saintly sufferers or cardboard cutouts either. I found this equal parts entertaining and moving. Will definitely be recommending to readers and looking out for more from this author!

4.5 Star ⭐️

This had every trope that you can think of, but in a self-awareness kind of way that didn’t make it annoying. We follow Margot to a forced trip to Alaska after a huge publicity scandal where she meets Forrest who just happens to be a handsome doctor taking care of his father. There’s a cute dog, one tent, tension, banter, actual communication, and unfortunately (my least favorite trope) a third act break up, but other than that, this was cute overload.

Highly recommend picking this one up when it releases April 1, 2025, you won’t regret it.

Thank you Atria / Simon & Schuster for the eARC ❤️